Whenever I see pictures of lamps in India, Most of them are always missing the outer top. Are they serviced that much that they never get put back on?
I can't help wondering what the story behind the picture is... Why has he got that many lamps and where is he going with them? Newark perhaps? It's an odd thing too that most of us I suspect handle our lamps with a lot of care and wouldn't dream of stacking them on a bike like that and riding around a bumpy street with them But in many places of course they are still in common use and not seen as at all precious, at least not in the same way.
In India it is common not to have electricity. Most times they use cow-dung/cow-poo to cook their food which is often rice. Some households are able to afford fuel for their stoves and lamps, yet I am not sure what type of fuel they normally use. I am reading on my school about how to get poor Indians who live on farms out of poverty, this is done by creating self-help groups which allows them to save money and lots of other purposes. Did you know that some Indians who live in poverty uses four hours a day to get fuel for their cooking. Have often thought about donating a lantern and stove to someone in India. Just dont know how and to whom. The poorest Indians get payed about 50 rupi a day, which is about $0,92 USD. This sucks when often medical treatment costs about 35000 rupi.
Kristian, maybe you have right in some aspects. But look at ebay and search for lanterns from India Lots of them for some crazy prices and parts also. So don't be suprised when you donate your lantern, that it will back to ebay soon
Hah, perhaps that might happen I was thinking about donating one to the poorest of the poor. They dont even have electricity in their town at all. Would also guess that fuel might be to expensive for them, so it would not work any way. We are learning at school that one should not give something to the needy, because then they make it a habit to get stuff for free without doing anything for it. One should rather teach them to become more productive and aware of their own resources.
A colleague of mine (in Germany) designed a cargo bike for Africa, quite simple and all-puropse. Some "charity" company emerged and started vulturing around. Another friend made a comment: "and once again, poor people in rich countries will give money to rich people in poor countries". So, be careful. "Give to man a fish -- he will have food for a day. Give him internet and you will get rid of him forever"
It is much more complex than just teach. Do you guess you can teach a man who lives in a milenary culture like India? Is not just a matter of technology, which could be easily trasferred. These people make space rockets, nuclear weapons, computers and everything you can imagine! But the picture is nice.
Sometimes. And poor people in poor countries also give money to reach people in the same poor country...
Juan, I think we know that. But it is like in China - growing so fast over last years, but still has places with peolpe living in very poor conditions. I'm from Poland and I remember how comunism looked like - they also made space rockets and everything you can imagine, but normal people were just very poor. Anyway if someone want to donate lantern, think about Africa. Or me
Back to topless lanterns. I sort of understand this. Older lamps often have deteriorated and don't work as well as they should. I have had a few here that work better with the top hood removed as that improves the aspiration and you can get a brighter light. OK it means the lamp wants fettling with perhaps a new generator and certainly new jet but you can perhaps see that a guy selling old lamps might discard the hoods because they will work better and therefroe perhaps sell better. Removing the hood is a cheaper fettle than replacing parts. ::Neil::
Or me!! I mean that is not as simple as teach or donate. It is a matter of politicians and rich classes, but it is a little bit out of topic...
